“Listen to people; nothing is accomplished if you dismiss other viewpoints. And of most importance: be confident. Have confidence in yourself. Have confidence in your resume—in your skills and in your qualifications. Be willing to learn.”

“Let your strength from the pastprovide proof of your abilities to . . .conquer the difficulties of the present.”

“Dedication is a great trait. It’s also the trait most abused by superiors. In short, you are an asset that can be easily replaced. Your proficiency is profitable to the company and makes life easier for supervisors. But the constant imbalance may result in a divorce or decline in health. Is that what you agreed to when you were hired?”

“My first bit of advice is to not personalize a job loss. The cause for the dismissal was a business calculation. This is difficult for many to grasp; it’s difficult to accept that events just occur. Come to see this as an experience. Obviously not the most pleasant experience, but it is one that you’ll overcome.”

“Self-preservation—this is your new focus. The only obligation of today is to preserve the breath of tomorrow. Then, once footing is regained, you can begin to fulfill debt obligations. Debt is hindsight.”

“Electricity, shelter, and a safe place to sleep . . .trump the need to preserve your credit score, orpurchase a new gizmo.”

“Don’t allow another human to decide your priorities. Their decisions are made without the slightest concern for how you’re inconvenienced.”